Vile and vindictive act of removing public servants because of politics

1. NO TO POLITICALVICTIMISATION
By Col Allan Douglas
It has almost become custom to carry out an exercise called “house cleaning” with
the change of government administrations, a sort of witch hunt of persons in posts
in the public sector that are determined, more often than not based on hearsay, as
opponents of the political party taking office.
This vile, vindictive, and damaging practice is not productive and does not befit a
democracy such as ours. We cannot say that citizens have a right to their political
preferences and then punish them when they exercise or demonstrate their
preference because it goes contrary to those who hold the power or authority.
A society or government administration that condones or indulges in the removal of
public sector workers because of their political allegiance or preference is
weakening democracy and, by extension, demonstrates disloyalty to Jamaica.
Admittedly, there will always be political hacks with no real competence or ability to
carry out job functions assigned to them by outgoing administrations, but there is a
proper system that must be followed regarding removals. Such offending
individuals know themselves and should do the honourable thing and resign.
Likewise, those public servants who find that they are unable to continue to serve
Jamaica loyally because of political differences or allegiance should also resign.
We must show that we are a mature democracy that tolerates and work alongside
others with differing political views and allegiance.